Hoisting equipment



April 5, 1966 c. s. NElDERT 3,244,253

HOISTING EQUIPMENT Filed Sept. 11, 1963 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.CHARLES G.NEIDERT ATTORNEY April 5, 1966 Filed Sept. 11. 1965 C. G.NEIDERT HOISTING EQUIPMENT as as 5 as 5 SheetsPSheei'. 2

42 s so FBG. 2 BY 32 INVENTQR. CHARLES s. NEIDERT fim ATTORNEY April 5,1966 c. G. NEIDERT HOISTING EQUIPMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 11,1963 u I I FIG. 5-

ATTORNEY C. G. NEiDERT HOISTENG EQUIPMENT A ril 5, 1966 s Sheets-Sheet'4 Filed Sept. 11. 1963 INVENTOR. CHARLES G. NEIDERT ATTORNEY April 5,1966 c. a. NEEDERT HOISTING EQUIPMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 11,1963 INVENTOR. CHARLES G. NEIDERT ATTORNEY United States Patent3,244,258 HOISTING EQUIPMENT Charles G. Neidert, Topeka, Kans. (861 S.Pershing, Wichita, Kaus.) Filed Sept. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 308,231 13Claims. (Cl. 18773) This invention relates to hoisting apparatus. Morespecifically, this invention relates to hoisting equipment particularlyuseful to aid in the construction of a building which equipment can beeasily assembled, disassembled and ext-ended to meet the specificrequirements of a particular construction job site. The inventionrelates to hoisting equipment that is simple in operation, sturdy andsubstantial, and safe to use. The invention also relates to a hoist thatis designed so that it inherently cannot be overloaded by workmen orpersonnel using same. The invention in another aspect also relates to ahoist that can be provided with a safety means that arrests movement ofthe movable platform in the event of a platform suspension cablefailure. Still another aspect of this invention relates to a safetymeans that arrests movement of the platform in the event of a powerfailure, conduit failure, or a drop in the pressure of the power sourcebelow nor mal operating pressure. Still more specifically, the inventionrelates to hoisting equipment having an upright column, platform meansmounted for movement on the column, power means to move the platformrelative to the column, suspension means for the platform including acable, and safety means adapted to positively arrest movement of theplatform relative to the column in the event of suspension failure and/or power failure.

It is a common procedure to construct a temporary hoist or elevatoradjacent to a building during its construction to deliver buildingmaterials, tools, equipment etc., to the desired construction arealocation in the building. In relatively tall buildings this procedure isgenerally regarded as a necessity. The alternative to this procedure isto hoist the 'material and equipment with a crane or the like which isordinarily not feasible because of the inconvenience of handling thematerial, ineliiciency, the expense of the equipment involved, etc.

The erection of a temporary hoist apparatus is a tedious, expensive andsomewhat dangerous operation. The framework ofa hoist, particularly of arelatively high hoist, must be accurately and substantially constructed.The hoist structure can be initially constructed to its full height andbraced, or partially constructed and later extended as the buildingprogresses. The frame, particularly if initially fully constructed, mustbe well braced and supported by guy wires or the like which are timeconsuming to rig and are often in the way during the construction of thebuilding. Also in certain instances, particularly in large cities, thereare not readily available locations to serve as anchors for the guywires. If hoist equipment is quite high the anchors of necessity must bespaced at considerable distance from the hoist itself.

If the framework, often of wood or prefabricated units, is partiallyconstructed and later extended the job is also time consuming andexpensive. To extend an existing hoist frame or tower requires theworkmen to work from the top of the tower, or the like, often handlingrelatively heavy structural units. The workmen must construct a suitablescaffold to complete the tower which is often quite dangerous. In eitherevent the operation is difiicult and expensive. Thus, in theconstruction of a building the contractor is faced with the problem ofconstructing the elevator or hoist apparatus tower less than its fullfinal height, which incomplete structure can be braced more easily andthen extending the structure after the building has progressed to theinitial height; or he can 3,244,258 Patented Apr. 5, 1966 initiallyconstruct a hoist apparatus tower to extend the full desired height. Asis believed evident, either course of construction presents troublesomeand expensive erection problems.

After the hoist known to the prior art is constructed there is alwaysthe danger that it will be overloaded either inadvertently orintentionally which could result in suspension failure, structuralfailure of the tower, etc. Such failure could result in great propertydamage, physical injury, death, and/or delay in the construction of thebuilding.

Further, the workmen are not ordinarily permitted to ride the usualtemporary hoist apparatus because the regulations and laws, either localor state, or insurance regulations etc., may require that the hoistapparatus meet certain safety requirements in regard to safety devices,etc. which safety devices are impossible or impractical to embody in thetemporary hoist during the construction of the building. Further, theworkmen in absence of such laws or regulations may refuse to ride thehoist to the floor or elevation that they desire to reach primarilybecause they are personally afraid or unsure of the safety of theelevator or hoist. Workmen, in order to get to the proper elevation orfloor on the building under construction, must then climb ladders,existing stairs, etc., which requires a great deal of effort and time.On large buildings a special elevator is often constructed primarily forpersonnel which entails a great deal of extra expense.

The temporary or portable hoist apparatus known to the prior art for useduring construction of buildings are in general not adapted to be easilyassembled, disassembled and extended. Further, they are not sufiicientlysubstantial and safein operation to transport work personnel. Also, theydo not have an automatic means which prevents overloading eitherinadvertently or otherwise.

I have invented a new hoist apparatus having an upright hollow column, aplatform mounted for movement relative to the column, and a piston meansslidably disposed within the hollow column. A source of energy isprovided to activate the piston disposed within the column. Suspensionmeans connecting the piston and the platform is also provided. My hoistapparatus is equipped with a first safety means adapted to restrictmovement of the platform in the event of failure of the suspensionmeans, and also a second safety means adapted to restrict movement ofthe platform in the event of failure of the source of energy.

Another preferred embodiment of my invention is a hoist apparatus havingan upright hollow column, a platform means mounted for movement relativeto the column, and a piston means slidably disposed within the hollowcolumn. A connection means is operably associated with the piston andthe platform for the application of motivating force therebetween. Theconnection means is desirably a cable attach-ed at one end to the pistonand at the other end to the platform and in engagement with a pulleymounted on the top of the column.

Yet another preferred embodiment of my invention is a combination of ahoist apparatus having an upright column, platform means mounted formovement relative to the column, and power means to move the platformmeans. The combination includes a safety means for restricting movementof the platform in the event of failure of the power means. The safetymeans has a brake means on the platform for selective engagement withthe column, an activating means for urging the brake means intoengagement, and a restraining means responsive to failure of the powermeans for restraining the activating means except upon such failure.Preferably, the brake means consists of a pivotally mounted bar having aportion adapted to frictionally engage the column.

The activating means is preferably a spring adapted to urge the bar intofrictional engagement with the column, and the restraining means is apiston and cylinder assembly operably connected to the power means ofthe hoist which in use is responsive to the lack of pressure.

The hoisting apparatus of my invention solves the aforementionedproblems relating to hoist equipment known to the prior art. The hoistof my invention is sturdy and substantial, and yet portable. The hoistis easily assembled, disassembled, and extended. The support for myhoist consists of a single column which can be made in sections, whichsections can be assembled to form a column or tower of any convenientheight. The hoist of my invention can be easily extended, whichsimplifies problems relating to anchoring it. Since the column is madeup of sections, the sections can be added at will to increase theworking height of the hoisting apparatus. The elevator platform servesas a convenient working platform to extend the column. This makes thejob of extending the hoist relatively simple and safe. Since the columncan be so easily extended, it need not be initially assembled to itsfull ultimate height, which initial column can be simply and easilyanchored to the building as the building is constructed.

The hoist of my invention is designed so that it inherently can not beoverloaded either inadvertently or intentionally. If the hoist isoverloaded, the platform will not rise.

Hoist structures when provided with my novel safety devices are adaptedto transport both personnel and material in complete safety. Theutilization of a single elevator to transport personnel and materialeliminates tiring and time consuming climbs and descents of workmen onladders, stairs, etc. It also eliminates the need for a separateelevator for personnel in the larger buildings. This results in largefinancial savings, and also helps speed construction of the building.The safety devices provide for a complete and positive arrest of theelevator platform, wherever and at whatever height it may be, in theevent of a platform suspension failure, and also in the event of a powerfailure of any type. Power failure is meant to include rupturing ofconduits, leakage, reduced activating pressure, etc. The presence of thesafety devices on an elevator inspires worker confidence whichcontributes to the well-being, convenience, and safety of the workmanusing same. The portability of the hoist apparatus enables it to be usedagain and again on different job sites adapting it to the particularrequirements of same. The overload feature of my invention is animportant safety measure which could prevent dire consequences in theevent of a breakdown due to overloading of the elevator.

An object of this invention is to provide new hoisting equipment.

Another object of this invention is to provide hoist apparatus with newsafety means.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a hoist apparatuswhich, in operation, cannot be overloaded.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a safety means for anelevator or hoist apparatus that will arrest movement of the platform ofthe elevator in the event of suspension failure.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a safety means forarresting movement of the platform of the elevator or hoist in the eventof a power means failure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a portable hoistapparatus that can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a portable hoistingapparatus made up of elements of a size that can be conveniently handledby the workman.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hoist apparatus whichcan be extended in height.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a hoist apparatuswhich is adapted to utilize the platform of same as a work platform whenextending the height of same.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a portable hoistapparatus having a convenient anchoring means for anchoring same to abuilding or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hoist apparatus whereinthe power means for operating the hoist is a weighted piston disposedwithin a hollow supporting column.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hoist apparatus havinga safety means for arresting movement of the platform in the event offailure of the power means, which safety means consists of a brake meanson the platform for selective engagement with the column, activatingmeans for urging the brake means into engagement, and a restrainingmeans responsive to failure of the power means for restraining theactivating means except upon such failure.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a hoist apparatushaving an upright column, a platform means mounted for movement on thecolumn, a means to move the platform relative to the column, and asafety means to arrest movement of said platform means in the event of apower or platform suspension failure.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the disclosure set forth herein.

Drawings of preferred specific embodiments of the invention accompanyand are a part hereof, and such are to be understood to not unduly limitthe scope of the invention. In the drawings FIG. 1 is a front View ofthe hoist means of my invention illustrating the various featuresthereof.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view partially in cross section of thehoist means of my invention illustrating its relation to a buildingunder construction.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing the pulley block mounted on the top of thecolumn.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view partially in cross section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a top broken view showing the construction of the movableplatform of my hoist apparatus of my invention.

FIG. 8 is a detail view showing the construction of the safety meanswhich halts or anrests movement in the platform in the event of cablesuspension failure,

and its relation to the platform.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing the detail structure of thesafety means shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the safety means forhalting movement of the platform of the hoist apparatus in the event ofpower means failure.

Following is a discussion and description of the new hoist apparatus,combination hoist apparatus and first safety means for halting movementin the event of suspension failure, and the combination hoist apparatusand safety means for halting movement to the platform in the event ofpower means failure of my invention, made with reference to the drawingswherein the same reference numerals ars used to indicate the same orsimilar parts and/or structure. The discussion and description are ofpreferred specific embodiments of the invention and it is understoodthat such are not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 10, hoist apparatus 12for transporting material and personnel is a preferred specificembodiment of the structure of my invention and is shown most clearly inits entirety in FIGS. 1 and 2. Hoist 12 has an upright sectioned hollowcolumn 14 compossed of joined sections 16. Each section 16 has alongitudinally extending cylinder portion 18 with a circular crosssection, as shown more clearly in FIG. 4. Section 16 has transverseflanges 20 on each end of the section which adapt adjacent sections tobe secured in end to end relationship. Bolt means 22 are provided forsecuring the end flanges 20 of adjacent sections in rigid end to endaligned relationship. Four longitudinally extending metal reinforcingchannel elements 24, more commonly known as angle irons, are welded tothe cylindrical portion 18 of each section to thereby form an exteriorshape having a square transverse cross section. This structure is mostclearly shown in FIG. 4. Guide means 26 are provided for column 14. Theguide means 26 consist of two longitudinally extending planks secured inopposed relation to cylinder portions and channel irons 24 to therebypresent parallel side 28 and edge 30 surface-s. Each section 16 isprovided with guide means 26 of the same length of the section. Theplanks of guide means 26 are cut out to accommodate the end flanges 20on each section 16. 'In the assembled column 14 the guide means 26 ofeach section abut the guide means in the adjoining section to presentaligned surfaces 28 and 30. If desired, other suitable forms of guidemeans 26 can be substituted for the planks shown. The column 14 ismounted on a block 32 and is aflixed thereto with bolts 34 which extendupwardly to engage the flange 20.

A platform 36, having an open side relative to column 14, is mounted forvertical reciprocal movement on the column. This relationship withcolumn 14 positioned centrally of platform 36 is best shown in FIG. 7.As is evident one side of the platform 36 is open. Platform 36 has aflat horizontal carrying surface 38, a frame 40 for the horizontalsurface 38, vertically extending upright members 42 in close proximityto column 14 and extending below Work surface 38. The relative positionsof vertical upright members 42 is most clearly shown in FIG. 1. Aplurality of diagonal braces 44 connecting the lower ends of uprightmembers 42 and the peripheral portions of the horizontal support 40 areprovided. The diagonal braces 44 effectively support the peripheralportions of the platform and lend rigidity to the entire platform 36.Suitable guard rails 46 can be provided on the platform 36 to preventmaterial and workmen from falling off same in use. The platform 36 isadapted to handle building materials, personnel, etc. If desired acontainer shown in dotted lines can be mounted on the platform forconveying concrete, etc. A hopper can be constructed at the desiredlevel to receive material from the container.

The platform 36 is also provided with spaced upper and lower rollermounting means 48 and 50 respectively. The upper roller mounting means48 are positioned generally in the plane of the carrying surface 38. Thelower roller mounting means 50 as indicated in FIG. 2 are positionedadjacent the lower ends of upright members 42 of the frame platform 36.A first set of roller means 54 are mounted on the upper roller mountingmeans 48 and a second set of roller means 56 are mounted on the lowerroller mounting means 50. Each of the sets of roller means 54 and 56have four rollers that engage the front and rear edges 30 of planks 26and four rollers that engage the exposed side surfaces 28 of planks 26adjacent the edges thereof. The position of the roller means 54 relativeto the guide means 26 is clearly illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawing.

A power means is provided to move platform 36 relative to column 15. Themeans consists of a weighted piston 60 having a circular cross sectionslidably disposed within the cylinder portions 18 of hollow column 14.

The piston 60 is free to slide the entire length of column 14 consistingof aligned sections 16. The Weight of the piston 60 is such that it isgreater than the total combined Weight of the platform, and the weightof any load on the platform which in use is to be transported. Theconduit means 62 is provided to convey fluid under pressure to the 6interior lower portion of column 16. Conduit 62 includes a valve means64 adapted to control the admission of pressurized fluid to the lowerportions of column 14. In order to lessen the shock of the pistondropping to bottom of column 14, there is provided a coil spring 66disposed in the bottom of column 14. On the top of column 14 is mounteda pulley block 68 having three vertically positioned rotatable pulleys70 mounted radially thereon. Three cables 72, 73, and 74 are shownpassing over the pulleys 70, each having a first end secured to piston60 and a second opposite end operatively secured to platform 36.

In operation, fluid is admitted through conduit 62 to the bottom ofcolumn 14 Where it exerts a pressure against the bottom of piston 60raising the piston within the column. As the piston is raised in thecolumn the cables '72, 73, and 74 passing over pulleys 70 lowers theplatform 36. In order to raise the platform 36, fluid under pressurewithin the column 14 is released thereby allowing the piston 60 to belowered. As the piston 60 is lowered in the column, cables 72, 73, and74 attached to platform 36 raise it relative to the column. If desired,a control means for controlling the admission of pressure through lineconduit 62 can be mounted on the platform 36 thereby allowing theoperator to ride up and down on the platform. An important feature ofthis hoist apparatus is the fact that it cannot be overloaded. In theevent that more weight is placed on the platform than the hoist isdesigned to carry, assuming that the lift is at ground level, theplatform will not rise when pressurized fluid is released throughconduit 62 in an effort to lower piston 60 in the column 14. The liftingcapacity of the hoist apparatus can be accurately calculated andgoverned by adding or controlling the weight of the piston 60 disposedin the column. If the lifting capacity of the hoist apparatus is desiredto be increased the weight of piston 60 is increased, but should not beincreased to such an extent that the cable supporting the platform andthe piston will be overtaxed.

My hoist apparatus 12 is provided with a means to conveniently anchorthe column 14 to a convenient upright support. This anchor means consistof a longitudinally extending U-shaped channel 76 secured to column 14in a position facing the open side of platform 36. This relationship isclearly shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. The U-shaped channel 76 has provided aplurality of aligned longitudinally spaced apertures 78 therein. Braces80 each having an aperture at one end thereof adapted to be selectivelycoupled to the U-shaped channel means with a bolt 82, and a means at theopposite end enabling it to be secured to a convenient upright support84 are provided. The support 84in practice is usually the framework of abuilding under construction. In use, the hoist apparatus can be extendedas the height of the building is increased thereby eliminating the needfor an elaborate set of guide Wires for bracing the column as isconventional in the hoisting apparatus known to the prior art, which arenormally initially constructed to the full height of the proposedbuilding under construction.

When it is desired that the hoist apparatus 12 be extended, the column14 can be easily and simply extended using the platform 36 as a worksurface to both lift the added section of column and to also place it inposition. In practice, an additional section 16 can be placed onplatform 36 which can 'be provided with a hoist structure of some sort,the platform raised to the top of the column, and secured. The channel76 can serve as a convenient anchor for this purpose. After the platform36 is secured in position at the top of the column, the pulley head 68can be removed and one or more additional sections 16 added to the topof column 14. After the sections have been placed in position, thepulley block 68 can again be replaced and assembled and the hoist isready to operate. As can be appreciated, the platform surface 38 servesas a very convenient and relatively safe working area for addin-gsection 16 to column 14.

The hoist apparatus 12 of my invention can be provided with a firstsafety means to arrest movement of platform 36 in the event of cablefailure. The first safety means of m'yinvention consists of a series ofprotruding spaced lugs 90 secured to column 14 between the planks ofguide means 26 and protruding beyond the adjacent edge surfaces 30 ofthe planks. A first U-shaped bar 92 is pivotly mounted above thecarrying surface 38 of the platform 36. U-shaped bar 92 is pivotlymounted on the ends of the leg portions 104 and partially encompassescolumn 14. This relationship is shown very clearly in FIG. 8. of thedrawing. A brake shoe 94 having a rectangular cross section is mountedon the center portion of U-shaped bar 92 and adapted to engage theadjacent edge surfaces 30 of guide means as and also spaced lugs 90 whenthe bar is pivoted substantially away from the horizontal. The brakeshoe 94 mounted on bar 92 is adapted to clear both the edge surfaces 30and lugs 90 when it is positioned in a horizontal or slightly inclinedposition. An upright coil spring 96 having a lower end abutting thecarrying surface 38 of platform 36 and an upper end abutting the brakeshoe 94 is adapted to pivot bar 92 in a position so that the brake shoe94 will frictionally engage surfaces 311 and lugs 90. As shown in FIG.9, coil spring 96 is mounted on an alignment tube 98 which extendsthrough an aperture in brake shoe 94. A pulley 102 is mounted on theupright members 42 of platform 36 below the work surface 38. The endportion of cable '73 is arranged to pass downwardly through aperture 100in platform 36 around pulley 102 and then upwardly through tube 98 andsecured to brake shoe 94. In normal operation, the force exerted bycable 73 and on bar 92 caused by the weight of platform 36 is sufficientto compress spring 96 to thereby pivot the brake shoe toward thehorizontal and away and out of frictional contact with surfaces 34) andalso the lugs 90. This allows normal operation of the hoist apparatus.However, if cable 73 should part, the force will no longer be applieddownwardly on bar 92 all-owing spring 96 to urge the brake shoe 94 intofrictional contact with surfaces -30 and abutment lugs 91 The strengthof coil spring 96 is sufficient to urge the brake shoe 94 intofrictional engagement to thereby slow down or stop the platform 36. Theabutment lugs 90 which protrude beyond the surfaces 30 afford a positivemeans of stopping the platform 36. The ends of cables 72 and 74 can berigidly secured to platform 36 as shown in FIG. 8. It is understood thatany suitable number of supporting cables can be used to operably connectpiston 60 to platform 36. Bar 92 can be pivotly mounted on the platform36 at any convenient location. In the prefer-red specific embodiment ofmy invention, bar 92 is shown mounted on short upright members 104. Theend of cable 73 is provided with a nut and threaded portion toconveniently adjust its position relative to the other cables.

The hoist apparatus of my invention can be provided with a second safetymeans adapted to arrest or restrict movement of the platform 36 in theevent of the failure of the power means. Failure of the power means ismeant to include failure of the pressurized fluid supply, the conduitssupplying the pressurized fluid, or any malfunction that may cause theoperating pressure within the cylinder 18 of column 14 to become loweredbelow the normal operating range. The second safety means consists of aset of two vertically spaced, generally horizonally positioned U-shapedbars 110 and 112 pivotedly mounted on the platform below the carryingsurface and partially encompassing column 16. The detailed structure ofthe safety means is shown in FIG. 10. Bars 111i and 112 are convenientlypivotly mounted on a block 114 which is affixed to the upright members42 of platform 36. Brake shoes 116 and 118 are mounted on theintermediate portion of bars 110 and 112 respectively, and are adaptedto engage edge surfaces 3%) of guide means 26 and also protruding lugs90 when the bars are pivoted away from the horizontal. The bars 116 and112 are generally similar in construction to bar 92 associated withaforedescribed firstsafety means. If desired, the bars 92, 110, and 112can be mounted on the platform so as not to encompass the column but ina position to selectively frictionally engage the surface of the column.A central abutment block 121} mounted on the upright members 42 of theframe of the platform 36 positioned between brake shoes 116 and 118 isprovided. First and second coil springs 122 and 124, positioned betweenthe upper brake shoe 116 and the abutment block 122, and the abutmentblock 121) and the lower brake shoe 118 respectively, act to urge brakeshoes 116 and 118 into frictional contact with the column 16 andabutment lugs 99. Upper and lower opposed piston and cylinder assemblies126 and 128 are mounted on the upright members 42 of the frame of theplatform and positioned above upper brake shoe 116 and below lower brakeshoe 118, respectively. Each of the piston and cylinder assemblies iscomposed of a piston 130 mounted in a cylinder 132 as shown in dottedlines in FIG. 10, The piston 132 has a protruding portion 133 which isin abutting engagement with the associated brake shoe. Conduit 134communicates with the cylinder 130 in piston and cylinder assembly 128and the cylinder 130 in piston and cylinder assembly 126. A flexibleconduit 136 is connected to conduit 134 and communicates with theinterior of cylinder 18 near the bottom thereof as shown in FIG. 2. Thesecond safety means is adapted to allow complete full movement ofplatform as when fluid under normal operating pressure is transmitted tothe piston and cylinder assemblies 126 and 128, but arrest movement ofthe platform when insufficient operating pressure is transmitted byallowing springs 122 and 124 to overcome the forces normally applied tothe brake shoes 116 and 118 by the pressurized piston and cylinderassemblies and thereby force them against the edge surface portions 36of guide means 26 and protruding lugs 90.

In the operation of my hoist apparatus 12 there is a pressure appliedwithin the column 13. This pressure is transmitted to the piston andcylinder assemblies 126 and 128 which force the bars and 1112 togetherso that they assume a substantially horizontal position, which positionis such that the brake shoes 116 and 118 are out of contact of thecolumn and the lugs 96. If for example, conduit 136 should break, thepressure in the cylinder 18 would drop. However, the loss of pressure istransmitted to the piston and cylinder assemblies 126 and 128 of thesafety means allowing the pistons to retract in the cylinders 132,whereup springs 122 and 124 urge the bars 110 and 112 into a positionsubstantially removed from the horizontal, in which position the brakeshoes 116 and 118 come into frictional contact with the column, and alsointo abutting relationship with lugs 911 to positively lock the platformin position. The platform locked in position would allow workmen on sameto be removed and also permit repair of any damage or leakage in thepower means.

While I have described and illustrated preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is understood that the hoist means and the elements ofsame as disclosed can be made in other forms and used in variouscombinations of same than herein described or suggested withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A hoist apparatus for material and personnel comprising, an uprightsectioned hollow column, said column comprised of joined sections, eachsection having a longitudinally extending cylinder portion with acircular cross section, transverse flanges on each end of said sectionsadapting adjacent sections to be secured in end to end relationship,bolt means for securing the end flanges of adjacent sections in rigidend to end relationship, four longitudinally extending metal reinforcingchannel elements welded to said cylinder portion of each section tothereby form an exterior shape having a square transverse cross section,guide means on each section comprised of two longitudinally extendingplanks secured in opposed relation to each of said cylinder portion andpresenting parallel side and edge surfaces, a platform having an openside relative to said column mounted for vertical reciprocal movement onsaid column substantially encompassing same with said column beinggenerally centrally located, said platform having a flat horizontal topcarrying surface, a frame having a horizontal support for said carryingsurface, vertically extending upright members in close proximity to saidcolumn and extending below said work surface, and a plurality ofdiagonal braces connecting the lower ends of said uprights and theperipheral portions of said horizontal supports for said carryingsurface, spaced upper and lower roller mounting means, said upper rollermounting means positioned in the plane of said carrying surface, andsaid lower roller mounting means positioned adjacent the lower ends ofsaid upright members of said frame, a first set of roller means mountedon said upper roller mounting means and a second set of roller meansmounted in said lower roller mounting means, each of said sets of rollermeans having four rollers that engage the front and rear edges of saidplanks and four rollers that engage the exposed sides of said planksadjacent the edges thereof, a means to move said platform relative tosaid column comprising, a weighted piston having a circular crosssection disposed within cylinder portions of said hollow column, theweight of said piston being greater than the total combined weight ofthe platform and the weight of any load on said platform which in use isto be transported, a conduit means to convey fluid under pressure to theinterior lower portion of the coulmn, a valve means to control saidfluid, a pulley block mounted on the top of said column having threevertically positioned rotatable pulleys mounted radially thereon, threecables, each passing over a pulley and having a first end secured tosaid piston, and a second opposite end secured to said platform, a firstsafety means to arrest movement of the platform in the event of cablefailure comprising,

'a series of protruding spaced lugs secured to said column between saidplanks and protruding beyond the adjacent end abutting said brake shoeon said first U-shaped bar pivotally mounted above said carrying surfaceof said platform on ends of the leg portions thereof and partiallyencompassing said column, a brake shoe having a recform below said worksurface, the secured end portion of said first U-shaped bar adapted toengage the adjacent edge surfaces of said planks and said spaced lugswhen the bar is pivoted substantially away from the horizontal, butclear same when in a horizontal or slightly inclined position, anupright coil spring having a lower end abutting said carrying surface ofthe platform and the upper end abutting said brake shoe on said firstU-shaped bar, a pulley mounted on the upright members of said platformbelow said work surface, the secured end portion of one of said cablesbeing arranged with a portion of same passing downwardly through saidWork surface and around and under said last-mentioned pulley, upwardlythrough said work surface and through said coil spring and adjustablysecured at its extreme end to said center portion of said U-shaped bar,said first safety means operating to arrest movement of said platformupon failure of said cable when said coil spring as a result of partingof the cable pivots said U-shaped bar upwardly thereby forcing saidbrake shoe against the edges of said planks to brake the platform and topositively halt same upon contacting one of same protruding lugs on saidcolumn, a second safety means to arrest movement of said platform in theevent of failure of the power means, pressurized fluid supply or supplyconduits conveying same comprising, a set of two vertically spaced,generally horizontally positioned U-shaped bars pivotally mounted on theupright members of the frame of said platform below said carryingsurface and partially encompassing said column, brake shoes mounted onthe intermediate portions of said set of U-shaped bars adapted to engagethe adjacent edges of said planks and said protruding lugs when the saidbars are pivoted substantially away from the horizontal, a centralabutment block mounted on the upright members of the frame of saidplatform positioned between said brake shoes of said set of U-shapedbars, first and second coil springs positioned between the upper brakeshoe and abutment block, and the abutment block and lower brake shoerespectively, upper and lower opposed piston and cylinder assembliesmounted on the upright members of the frame of said platform andpositioned above said upper brake shoe and below said lower brake shoerespectively, a flexible conduit operatively connected to said pistonand cylinder assemblies and the interior of the lower end of saidupright column, said upright column, said second safety means adapted toallow movement of said platform when fluid pressure is transmitted tosaid piston and cylinder assemblies, but ar rests movement of saidplatform when insufiicient operating pressure is transmitted by allowingsaid springs to overcome the forces normally applied to the brake shoesby the pressurized piston and cylinder assemblies and thereby force sameagainst the edge portions of said planks and protruding lugs, a means toanchor said colurnn in use to a convenient upright support comprising alongitudinally extending U-shaped channel secured to said columnopposite said protruding lugs and facing said open side of said platformsaid U-shaped channel having a plurality of aligned longitudinallyspaced apertures therein, a brace having an aperature at one end thereofadapted to be selectively coupled to U-shaped channel, means on theopposite end enabling same when in use to be secured to a convenientupright support when so positioned to clear the platform, said hoistapparatus adapted to efficiently and safely transport personnel andmaterial, and insure against the overloading of same.

2. A hoist apparatus for material and personnel comprising an uprightsectioned hollow column, said column comprised of joined sections, eachsection having a longitudinally extending cylinder portion, transverseflanges on each end of said sections adapting adjacent sections to besecured in end to end relationship, means for securing the flanges ofadjacent sections in rigid end to end relationship, guide means on eachsection comprised of two longitudinally extending flat members securedin opposed relation to each of said cylinder portions and presentingparallel side and edge surfaces, a platform having an open side relativeto said column mounted for vertical reciprocal movement on said columnsubstantially encompassing same with said column being generallycentrally located thereto, said platform having a flat horizontal topcarrying surface, a frame having a horizontal support for said carryingsurface, vertically extending upright members in close proximity to saidcolumn, and spaced upper and lower roller mounting means, said upperroller mounting means position in the plane of said carrying surface,and said lower roller mounting means position adjacent the lower ends ofsaid upright members of said frame, a first set of rollers mounted onsaid upper roller mounting means and a second set of roller meansmounted on said lower roller mounting means, a means to move saidplatform relative to said column comprising, a weighted piston slidablydisposed within the cylinder portions of said hollow column, the weightof said piston being greater than the total combined weight of theplatform and the weight of any load on the platform which in use is tobe transported, a pulley block mounted on the top of said column havingvertically positioned pulleys mounted radially thereon, suspensioncables, each cable passing over a pulley and having a first end securedto said piston and a second opposite end secured to said platform, afirst safety means to arrest movement of the platform in the event ofcable failure comprising, a series of longitudinally spaced lugs securedto said column, a first U-shaped bar pivotally mounted on said platformon ill the ends of the leg portions thereof and partially encompassingsaid column, a brake shoe mounted on the center portion of said U-shapedbar adapted to frictionally engage said column and engage said spacedlugs when the bar is pivoted substantially away from the horizontal butclear when in a horizontal or slightly inclined position, a spring meansengaging the intermediate portion of said U-shaped bar and urging sameto be pivoted in a direction substantially away from the horizontal, apulley mounted on said platform below said U-shaped bar, the securedsecond end portion of one of said cables being arranged with a portionof same mounted on said last mentioned pulley and extending upwardly andsecured to said U- shaped bar, said first safety means operating toarrest movement of said platform upon failure of said cable when saidspring as a result of the parting of the cable pivots the U-shaped barinto frictional engagement with said column and said protruding lugs tobrake the platform and positively halt same, a second safety means toarrest movement of said platform in the event of failure of the powermeans comprising, a set of two vertically spaced U-shaped bars pivotallymounted on said platform and partially encompassing said column, brakeshoes mounted on the intermediate portions of said U-shaped bars adaptedto engage said column and said protruding lugs mounted thereon, acentral abutment block mounted on said platform positioned between saidbrake shoes of said set of U-shaped bars, first and second springspositioned between the upper brake shoe and the abutment block and thelower brake shoe respectively, upper and lower opposed piston andcylinder assemblies positioned above the upper brake shoe and below thelower brake shoe respectively, a flexible conduit operatively connectedto said piston and cylinder assemblies and the interior of said uprightcolumn, said second safety means adapted to allow movement of saidplatform when fluid pressure is transmitted to said piston and cylinderassemblies, but arrest movement when insufficient operating pressure istransmitted by allowing said springs to overcome the forces normallyapplied to the brake shoes by the pressurized piston and cylinderassemblies and thereby forcing said brake shoes against the uprightcolumn and protruding lugs, a means to anchor said column in use to aconvenient upright support, said hoist apparatus adapted to efficientlyand safely transport personnel and material to insure againstoverloading of same.

3. A hoist apparatus comprising, an upright sectioned hollow column,said column comprised of joined sections, each section having alongitudinally extending cylinder portion, flanges on each end of eachsaid portions adapting sections to be secured in end to endrelationship, guide means comprised of longitudinally extending elementssecured in opposed relation to said cylinder portions and presentingparallel side and edge surfaces, a platform mounted for verticalreciprocal movement on said coiumn, spaced upper and lower rollermounting means, first roller means mounted in said upper roller mountedmeans and second roller means mounted in said lower roller mountingmeans, said first and second roller means adapted to engage the sidesand edge surfaces of said guide means elements thereof, a means to movesaid platform relative to said column comprising, a weighted pistondisposed within the cylinder portion of said hollow column, the weightof said piston being greater than the total combined weight of theplatform and the weight of any load on said platform which in use is tobe transported, a pulley block mounted on the top of said column, cablemeans operably connected to said piston and said platform, a safetymeans for restricting movement of said platform in the event of cablemeans failure comprising, a bar element pivotally mounted on saidplatform having a portion that frictionally engages said column whensaid bar pivots in a first direction, a spring means adapted to urgesaid bar in said first direction, said cable means secured to said barand arranged to pivot same in a second opposite direction, said safetymeans acting to arrest movement of said platform when said spring meansurges said bar in said first direction into frictional engagement withsaid column upon failure of said cable, a second safety means to arrestmovement of said platform in the event of failure of the power meanscomprising, vertically spaced bar elements pivotedly mounted on saidplatform having portions adapted to :frictionally engage said columnwhen said bars are pivoted, spring means mounted on said platformarranged to pivot said bar elements, a piston and cylinder assemblyassociated with each bar mounted on said platform adapted to restrainpivoting of each respective bar, and conduit means connecting saidpiston and cylinder assemblies to the source of pressurized fluid forsaid power means, said hoist apparatus adapted to efiiciently and safelytransport personnel and material and insure against over-loading same.

4. A hoist apparatus for material and personnel comprising, an uprightsectioned hollow column, said column comprised of joined sections, eachsection having a longitudinally extending cylinder portion with acircular cross section, transverse flanges on each end of each of saidsections adapting adjacent sections to be secured in end to endrelationship, means to secure the end flanges of adjacent sections inrigid end to end relationship, guide means on each section comprised oftwo longitudinally extending planks secured in opposed relation to eachof said cylinder portions and presenting parallel side and edgesurfaces, a platform having an open side relative to said column mountedfor vertical reciprocal movement on said column substantiallyencompassing same with said column being generally centrally located,said platform having a flat horizontal top carrying surface, a framehaving a horizontal support for said carrying surface, verticallyextending upright members in close proximity to said column andextending below said work surface, a plurality of diagonal bracesconnecting the lower ends of said uprights and the peripheral portionsof said horizontal support for said carrying surface, spaced upper andlower roller mounting means on said platform, a first set of rollermeans mounted in said upper roller mounting means, and a second set ofroller means mounted in said lower roller mounting means, each of saidsets of roller means having rollers that engage the front and rear edgesand the exposed sides of said planks adjacent the edges thereof, a meansto move said platform relative to said column comprising, a weightedpiston having a circular cross section slidably disposed within alignedcylinder portions of said hollow column, the weight of said piston beinggreater than the total combined weight of the platform and the weight ofany load on said platform which in use is to be transported, a conduitmeans to convey fluid under pressure to the interior lower portion ofsaid column, a pulley block mounted on the top of said column havingvertically positioned rotatable pulleys mounted radially thereon, cablemeans for said hoist means, each cable of said cable means passing overa pulley and having a first end secured to said piston and a secondopposite end operatively secured to said platform, a means to anchorsaid column in use to a convenient upright support comprising,longitudinally extending U- shaped channel secured to said column, saidU-shaped channel having longitudinally spaced aligned apertures in theleg portions thereof, a plurality of brace means each having an aperturein one end thereof adapted to be selectively coupled to apertures insaid U-shaped channel, means on the opposite end of said brace enablingsame when in use to be secured to a convenient upright support, saidbrace when so positioned adapted to clear the platform, said hoistapparatus adapted to safely transport personnel and material and insureagainst overloading of same.

5. In combination with a hoist apparatus having an upright column,platform means mounted for movement on said column, and a power means tomove said platform ,r a 13 means relative to said column, and suspensionmeans for said platform including a cable secured at one end to saidplatform operatively associated with said power means, a safety meansfor arresting movement of said platform in the event of suspension meansfailure comprising 10ngitudinally spaced protruding lugs on said column,a U- shaped bar pivotly mounted on said platform at the ends of the legportions thereof, and partially encompassing said column, a rectangularshaped brake shoe mounted on the center portion of said U-shaped baradapted to engage said column and said spaced lugs when the bar ispivoted away from the horizontal but clear same when in horizontal orslightly inclined position, an upright coil spring having a lower endabutting said platform and the upper end abutting said brake shoe onsaid U-shaped bar, a pulley mounted on said platform below said coilspring, the end of said cable being secured to said platform arrangedwith a portion passing around and under said last mentioned pulleyupwardly through said coil spring and secured at its extreme end to saidcenter portion of said ,lJ-shaped bar, said safe y means operating toarrest ,movement of said platform upon failure of said cable .whensaidvcoil, spring .as a result of the parting of said cableurges thatU-shaped .bar upwardly thereby forcing said brake shoe against saidcolumn to brake the platform ;and-to 'positivelyhalt same uponcontacting one of said protruding lugs on said column. 6. In combinationwith a hoist apparatus having an upright column, platform means mountedfor movement on said column, a power means to move said platform .meansrelative to said column, suspension means for said platform operativelyassociated with said power means, said suspension means including atleast one cable having an end'operatively secured to said platform, asafety means for arresting movement of. said platform in the event of;suspension failure comprising, spaced lugs on said col- ;umn,aU-shapedbar pivotly mounted at the ends of its-leg portionsto saidplatform, a brake shoe mounted onthe center portionofsaid U-shaped baradapted to selectively engage said column and spaced lugs on saidcolumn, said U-shaped bar adapted to vfrictionally eni gage said uprightcolumn and positively engage said spaced lugs when the bar is pivotedaway from the horizontal but clear same when in a horizontal or slightlyinclined .position, an upright spring means having a lower end ar- 5ranged in fixed. relation to platform and an upper end associated withsaid brake shoe urging same upwardly, a pulley means mounted on saidplatform below said U- shaped bar, the end of said cable being arrangedwith a ;portionpassing around and under said last mentioned pulley andupwardly and secured at its end to said center portion of said U-shapedbar, said safety means operating to arrest the movement of said platformupon failure of said cable when saidspringas a result of parting of thecable urges saidU-shaped bar upwardly, thereby forcing ,said brake shoeagainst said column to brake the platform ;--and to positively halt sameupon contacting one of said protruding lugs on said column.

7-. In combination with a hoist apparatus having an upright column,spaced lugs mounted on said column, platform means mounted for movementon said column, a power means to move said platform means relative tosaid column, suspension means for said platform operatively associatedwith said power means, said suspension means including a cable meanshaving an end op- .eratively' secured to said platform, a safety meansfor ,arresting movement of said platform in the event of suspensionfailure comprising a bar element pivotly mounted on said platformconstructed and adapted to have a portion that frictionally engages saidcolumn when said bar is pivoted away from the horizontal but clears samewhen in a horizontal or slightly inclined position, a spring meansmounted on said platform urging said bar in a direction away from thehorizontal, a pulley means mounted on said platform below said pivotedbar, the

end of said operatively secured cable means arranged to pass around saidpulley and secured at its end to said bar acting when under tension topivot the said bar to the horizontal position, said safety meansoperating to arrest the movement of said platform upon failure of saidsuspension means when said spring means as a result of the parting ofthe cable urges said bar into frictional engagement with said column tobrake the movement of said platform to thereby arrest movement of same.

8. In combination with a hoist apparatus having an upright column,spaced lugs on said column, platform means mounted for movement on saidcolumn, and a power means including supply conduits activated by asource of pressurized fluid to move said platform means relative to saidcolumn, a safety means for arresting movement of said platform in theevent of failure of the power means, source of pressure fluid, or supplyconduits comprising, a set of two vertically spaced generallyhorizontally positioned U-shaped bars pivotally mounted on the ends ofthe leg portions thereof on said platform and partially encompassingsaid column, brake shoes on the intermediate portions of said set ofU-shaped bars adapted to frictionally engage said column and saidprotruding lugs on said column when said bars are pivoted substantiallyaway from the horizontal, a central abutment block mounted on saidplatform positioned between said brake shoes of said set of U-shapedbars, first and second coil springs positioned between the upper brakeshoe and abutment block, and the abutment block and the lower brake shoerespectively, upper and lower opposed piston and cylinder assembliesmounted on said platform and positioned above said upper brake shoe andbelow said lower brake shoe respectively, urging said U-shaped bars togenerally horizontally extending positions, a flexible conduitoperatively connected to said piston and cylinder assemblies and saidpower means to move said platform, said safety means adapted to allowmovement of said platform when fluid pressure is transmitted to saidpiston and cylinder assemblies but arrest movement of said platform wheninsufiicient operating pressure is transmitted to same by allowing saidsprings to overcome the forces normally applied to the brake shoes bythe normally pressurized piston and cylinder assemblies and therebyforce same against said upright column and protruding lugs.

9. In combination with a hoist apparatus having an uprightcolumn,,spaced lugs on said column, platform means mounted for movementon said column, and power means activated by a source of pressurizedfluid to move said platform relative to said column, a safety meansforarresting movement of said platform means in the event of failure of thepower means, source of pressurized fluid, or conduits supplying samecomprising, vertically spaced generally horizontally positioned U-shapedbars pivotally mounted at the leg portions thereof on said platform,said U-shaped bars adapted to frictionally engage said column with theintermediate portion thereof when said bars are pivoted substantiallyaway from the horizontal, a central abutment means on said platformpositioned between said set of U-shaped bars, spring means positionedbetween the intermediate portion of said upper U-shaped bars andaubtment means, and the abutment means and the intermediate portion ofsaid lower U-sh-aped bar respectively, upper and lower opposed pistonand cylinder assemblies mounted on said platform positioned above theintermediate portion of said U-shaped bar and below the intermediateportion of said U-shaped bar respectively, and operatively engagingsame, a conduit operatively connected to said piston and cylinder as- Isemblies and said power means, said safety means adapted to allowmovement of said platform when fluid pressure is transmitted to saidpiston and cylinder assemblies, but arrest movement of said platformwhen insufficient operating pressure exists by allowing said springmeans to 1 5 overcome the forces normally applied to said U-shaped barsby the normally pressurized piston and cylinder assemblies to therebyforce same against said upright column and protruding lugs to therebybrake and positively halt movement of said platform.

10. A hoist apparatus, comprising, an upright hollow column having alongitudinally extending cylinder portion, guide means comprised oflongitudinally extending elements secured in opposed relation to saidcylinder portion, and presenting a plurality of surfaces, a platformmounted for vertical reciprocal movement on said column, spaced upperand lower roller means mounted and adapted to engage said surfaces ofsaid guide means elements, a means to move said platform relative tosaid column comprising, a weighted piston disposed within the cylinderportion of said hollow column, the weight of said piston being greaterthan the total combined weight of the platform and the weight .of anyload on said platform which in use is to be transported, pulley meansmounted on the top of said column, cable means operably connected tosaid piston and said platform, a safety means for restricting movementof said platform in the event of cable means failure comprising, anarresting element movably mounted on said platform having a portion thatfrictionally engages said column when said arresting element moves in afirst direction, resilient means constructed, mounted and adapted t Saidarresting element in said first direction, said cable means secured tosaid arresting element and arranged to move same in a second oppositedirection, said safety means acting to arrest movement of said platformwhen said resilient means urges said arrestingelement in said firstdirection into frictional engagement with said column upon failure ofsaid cable, a second safety means to arrest movement of said platform,in the event of failure of the power means powering same comprising,another arresting element movably mounted on said platform and having aportion constructed and adapted to frictionally engage said column whensaid element is moved, resilient means mounted on said platform arrangedto move' said last-named arresting element, piston and cylinder meansassociated ,with said lastnamed arresting element and mounted on saidplatform and operable therewith to restrain movement of said arrestingelement, and conduit means connecting said piston and cylinder means tothe source of pressurized fluid for said power means, said hoistapparatus adapted to effi- ,ciently and safely transport personnel andmaterial and insure against overloading same. i 4

11. A hoisting apparatus for material and personnel comprising, anupright hollow column having a longitudinally extending cylinderportion, guide means on said column comprised of longitudinallyextending members secured in opposed relation to said cylinder portionand presenting a plurality of surfaces, a platform mounted for verticalreciprocal movement on said column, said platform having a frame havinga horizontally disposed support for the carrying surface thereof and inclose proximity to said column, spaced upper and lower roller meansmounted on said platform, each of said roller means having rollers thatengage said surfaces .of said longitudinally extending members securedto said cylinder portions, a means to :move said platform relative tosaid column comprising, a weighted piston slidably disposed within saidhollow column, the weight of said piston being greater than the totalcombined weight of the platform and .the weight of any load on saidplatform which inuse is to :be transported, a conduit means to conveyfluid under pressure to the interior lower portion of said column,pulley means mounted on the top portion of said column having arotatable pulley mounted thereo cab e me ns f r sa d ho st means p ngover said pulley andhaving a first endlportion secured to said pistonand a second end portion operatively secured to said platform, a meansto anchor said column in use to a convenient upright support comprising,a braced support member secured to said column, said braced supportmember when so positioned adapted to clear the platform, said hoistapparatus adapted to efficicntly and safely transport personnel andmaterial and insure against overloading of same.

12. In'combination with a hoist apparatus having an upright column,platform means mounted for movement on said column, a power means tomove said platform means relative to said column, suspension means forsaid platform operatively associated with said power means, saidsuspension means including a cable means having an end portionoperatively secured to said platform, a safety means for arrestingmovement of said platform in the event of suspension failure comprising,a braking element pivotally mounted on said platform haying a portionconstructed and adapted in operation to frictionally engage said columnwhen said braking element is pivoted away from the horizontal but clearssame when ina horizontal or slightly inclined position, resilient meansmounted on said platform urging said braking element in a direction awayfrom the horizontal, cable receiving means mounted on said platformbelow said braking element, the end portion of said operatively securedcable means arranged? P353 around said cable receiving means and securedin its end portion to said bralging element acting when under tension topivot said braking element to the horizontal position, said safetymeansoperating to arrest the movement of said platform upon failure of saidsuspension rneans when said resilient means as a result of [the P in atth a l was a d b ak element frictional engagement with said column tobrake the movement of said platform to thereby arrest same.

13. In combination a hoist apparatus having an u r t olumn Pl f m m answere: m m n on. said column, and power means activated by a source ofpressurized fiuid to move said platform relative to said column, asafety meansfor arresting movement of said P a means in the event of filur s? he Po me "source of pressurized fluid, a conduit supplying samecomly horizontally positioned U-shaped bar pivotally mounted at the leg'portions thereof on said platform, said U-shaped bar adapted tofrictionally engage said column when said bar is piyoted awayfrom thehorizontal, an abutment means on said platform resilient meanspositioned between said bar and abutment means, a piston and cylinderassembly mounted on said platform positioned above said U-shaped bar andoperatively engaging same, a conduit operatively connected to saidpiston and cylinder assembly and power means, said safety means adaptedto allow movement of said platform when fluid pressure is transmitted tosaid piston and cylinder assembly, but arrest movement of said platformwhen insufficient operating pressure exists by allowing said resilientmeans to overcome the forces normally applied to said U-shaped bar bythe normally pressurized piston and cylinder assembly to thereby forcesame against said up right column to thereby brake and positively haltmovement of said platform.

Re e en es it by he Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 438,388 10/1890 Smith91 45 610,934 9/1898 Webber 1s7 s1 722,894 3/1903 Potter 91-41 SAMUEL F.COLEMAN, Primary Examiner. ANDRES H. N LS N, x miner,

1. A HOIST APPARATUS FOR MATERIAL AND PERSONNEL COMPRISING, AN UPRIGHTSECTIONED HOLLOW COLUMN, SAID COLUMN COMPRISED OF JOINED SECTIONS, EACHHAVING A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CYLINDER PORTION WITH A CIRCULARACROSS SECTION, TRANSVERSE FLANGES ON EACH OF SAID SECTIONS ADAPTINGADJACENT SECTIONS TO BE SECURED IN END TO END RELATIONSHIP, BOLT MEANSFOR SECURING THE END FLANGES OF ADJACENT SECTIONS IN RIGID END TO ENDRELATIONSHIP, FOUR LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING METAL REINFORCING CHANNELELEMENTS WELDED TO SAID CYLINDER PORTION OF EACH SECTION TO THEREBY FORMAN EXTERIOR SHAPE HAVING A SQUARE TRANSVERSE CROSS SECTION, GUIDE MEANSON EACH SECTION COMPRISED OF TWO LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING PLANKS SECUREDIN OPPOSED RELATION TO EACH OF SAID CYLINDER PORTION AND PRESENTINGPARALLEL SIDE AND EDGE SURFACES, A PLATFORM HAVING AN OPEN SIDE RELATIVETO SAID COLUMN MOUNTED FOR VERTICAL RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT ON SAID COLUMNSUBSTANTIALLY ENCOMPASSING SAME WITH SAID COLUMN BEING GENERALLYCENTRALLY LOCATED, SAID PLATFORM HAVING A FLAT HORIZONTAL TOP CARRYINGSURFACE, A FRAME HAVING A HORIZONTAL SUPPORT FOR SAID CARRYING SURFACE,VERTICALLY EXTENDING UPRIGHT MEMBERS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SAID COLUMNAND EXTENDING BELOW SAID WORK SURFACE, AND A PLURALITY OF DIAGONALBRACES CONNECTING THE LOWER ENDS OF SAID UPRIGHTS AND THE PERIPHERALPORTIONS OF SAID HORIZONTAL SUPPORTS FOR SAID CARRYING SURFACE, SPACEDUPPER AND LOWER ROLLER MOUNTING MEANS, SAID UPPER ROLLER MOUNTING MEANSPOSITIONED IN THE PLANE OF SAID CARRYING SURFACE, AND SAID LOWER ROLLERMOUNTING MEANS POSITIONED ADJACENT THE LOWER ENDS OF SAID UPRIGHTMEMBERS OF SAID FRAME, A FIRST SET OF ROLLER MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID UPPERROLLER MOUNTING MEANS AND A SECOND SET OF ROLLER MEANS MOUNTED IN SAIDLOWER ROLLER MOUNTING MEANS, EACH OF SAID SETS OF ROLLER MEANS HAVINGFOUR ROLLERS THAT ENGAGE THE FRONT AND REAR EDGES OF SAID PLANKS ANDFOUR ROLLERS THAT ENGAGE THE EXPOSED SIDES OF SAID PLANKS ADJACENT THEEDGES THEREOF, A MEANS TO MOVE SAID PLATFORM RELATIVE TO SAID COLUMNCOMPRISING, A WEIGHTED PISTON HAVING A CIRCULAR CROSS SECTION DISPOSEDWITHIN CYLINDER PORTIONS OF SAID HOLLOW COLUMN, THE WEIGHT OF SAIDPISTON BEING GREATER THAN THE TOTAL COMBINED WEIGHT OF THE PLATFORM ANDTHE WEIGHT OF ANY LOAD ON SAID PLATFORM WHICH IN USE IS TO BETRANSPORTED, A CONDUIT MEANS TO CONVEY FLUID UNDER PRESSURE TO THEINTERIOR LOWER PORTION OF THE COLUMN, A VALVE MEANS TO CONTROL SAIDFLUID, A PULLEY BLOCK MOUNTED ON THE TOP OF SAID COLUMN HAVING THREEVERTICALLY POSITIONED ROTATABLE PULLEYS MOUNTED RADIALLY THEREON, THREECABLES, EACH PASSING OVER A PULLEY AND HAVING A FIRST END SECURED TOSAID PISTON, AND A SECOND OPPOSITE END SECURED TO SAID PLATFORM, A FIRSTSAFETY MEANS TO ARREST MOVEMENT OF THE PLATFORM IN THE EVENT OF CABLEFAILURE COMPRISING, A SERIES OF PROTRUDING SPACED LUGS SECURED TO SAIDCOLUMN BETWEEN SAID PLANKS AND PROTRUDING BEYOND THE ADJACENT ENDABUTTING SAID BRAKE SHOE ON SAID FIRST U-SHAPED BAR PIVOTALLY MOUNTEDABOVE SAID CARRYING SURFACE OF SAID PLATFORM ON ENDS OF THE LEG PORTIONSTHEREOF AND PARTIALLY ENCOMPASSING SAID COLUMN, A BRAKE SHOE HAVING ARECFORM BELOW SAID WORK SURFACE, THE SECURED END PORTION OF SAID FIRSTU-SHAPED BAR ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE ADJACENT EDGE SURFACES OF SAID PLANKSAND SAID SPACED LUGS WHEN THE BAR IS PIVOTED SUBSTANTIALLY AWAY FROM THEHORIZONTAL, BUT CLEAR SAME WHEN IN A HORIZONTAL OR SLIGHTLY INCLINEDPOSITION, AN UPRIGHT COIL SPRING HAVING A LOWER END ABUTTING SAIDCARRYING SURFACE OF THE PLATFORM AND THE UPPER END ABUTTING SAID BRAKESHOE ON SAID FIRST U-SHAPED BAR, A PULLEY MOUNTED ON THE UPRIGHT MEMBERSOF SAID PLATFORM BELOW SAID WORK SURFACE, THE SECURED END PORTION OF ONEOF SAID CABLES BEING ARRANGED WITH A PORTION OF SAME PASSING DOWNWARDLYTHROUGH SAID WORK SURFACE AND AROUND AND UNDER SAID LAST-MENTIONEDPULLEY, UPWARDLY THROUGH SAID WORK SURFACE AND THROUGH SAID COIL SPRINGAND ADJUSTABLY SECURED AT TS EXTREME END TO SAID CENTER PORTION OF SAIDU-SHAPED BAR, SAID FIRST SAFETY MEANS OPERATING TO ARREST MOVEMENT OFSAID PLATFORM UPON FAILURE OF SAID CABLE WHEN SAID COIL SPRING AS ARESULT OF PARTING OF THE CABLE PIVOTS SAID U-SHAPED BAR UPWARDLY THEREBYFORCING SAID BRAKE SHOE AGAINST THE EDGES OF SAID PLANKS TO BRAKE THEPLATFORM AND TO POSITIVELY HALT SAME UPON CONTACTING ONE OF SAMEPROTRUDING LUGS ON SAID COLUMN, A SECOND SAFETY MEANS TO ARREST MOVEMENTOF SAID PLATFORM IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE OF THE POWER MEANS, PRESSURIZEDFLUID SUPPLY OR SUPPLY CONDUITS CONVEYING SAME COMPRISING, A SET OF TWOVERTICALLY SPACED, GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY POSITIONED U-SHAPED BARSPIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE UPRIGHT MEMBERS OF THE FRAME OF SAID PLATFORMBELOW SAID CARRYING SURFACE AND PARTIALLY ENCOMPASSING SAID COLUMN,BRAKE SHOES MOUNTED ON THE INTERMEDIATE PORTIONS OF SAID SET OF U-SHAPEDBARS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE ADJACENT EDGES OF SAID PLANKS AND SAIDPROTRUDING LUGS WHEN THE SAID BARS ARE PIVOTED SUBSTANTIALLY AWAY FROMTHE HORIZONTAL, A CENTRAL ABUTMENT BLOCK MOUNTED ON THE UPRIGHT MEMBERSOF THE FRAME OF SAID PLATFORM POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID BRAKE SHOES OFSAID SET OF U-SHAPED BARS, FIRST AND SECOND COIL SPRINGS POSITIONEDBETWEEN THE UPPER BRAKE SHOE AND ABUTMENT BLOCK, AND THE ABUTMENT BLOCKAND LOWER BRAKE SHOE RESPECTIVELY, UPPER AND LOWER OPPOSED PISTON ANDCYLINDER ASSEMBLIES MOUNTED ON THE UPRIGHT MEMBERS OF THE FRAME OF SAIDPLATFORM AND POSITIONED ABOVE SAID UPPER BRAKE SHOE AND BELOW SAID LOWERBRAKE SHOE RESPECTIVELY, A FLEXIBLE CONDUIT OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TOSAID PISTON AND CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES AND THE INTERIOR OF THE LOWER END OFSAID UPRIGHT COLUMN, SAID UPRIGHT COLUMN, SAID SECOND SAFETY MEANSADAPTED TO ALLOW MOVEMENT OF SAID PLATFORM WHEN FLUID PRESSURE ISTRANSMITTED TO SAID PISTON AND CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES, BUT ARRESTS MOVEMENTOF SAID PLATFORM WHEN INSUFFICIENT OPERATING PRESSURE IS TRANSMITTED BYALLOWING SAID SPRINGS TO OVERCOME THE FORCES NORMALLY APPLIED TO THEBRAKE SHOES BY THE PRESSURIZED PISTON AND CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES ANDTHEREBY FORCE SAME AGAINST THE EDGE PORTIONS OF SAID PLANKS ANDPROTRUDING LUGS, A MEANS TO ANCHOR SAID COLUMN IN USE TO A CONVENIENTUPRIGHT SUPPORT COMPRISING A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING U-SHAPED CHANNELSECURED TO SAID COLUMN OPPOSITE SAID PROTRUDING LUGS AND FACING SAIDOPEN SIDE OF SAID PLATFORM SAID U-SHAPED CHANNEL HAVING A PLURALITY OFALIGNED LONGITUDINAL SPACED APERTURES THEREIN, A BRACE HAVING ANAPERTURE AT ONE END THEREOF ADAPTED TO BE SELECTIVELY COUPLED TOU-SHAPED CHANNEL, MEANS ON THE OPPOSITE END ENABLING SAME WHEN IN USE TOBE SECURED TO A CONVENIENT UPRIGHT SUPPORT WHEN SO POSITIONED TO CLEARTHE PLATFORM, SAID HOIST APPARATUS ADAPTED TO EFFICIENTLY AND SAFETYTRANSPORT PERSONNEL AND MATERIAL, AND INSURE AGAINST THE OVERLOADING OFSAME.